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8 Day Rhine Holiday Markets
Uniworld River Cruise starting in Cologne and finishing in Basel
Countries Visited: Switzerland, Germany, France
Tour Type: River Cruise
Tour Duration: 8 Days (7 Nights)
From: Cologne to Basel
Tour Code: UNIRHM_R
Operator: Uniworld
from AU $2,460 pp
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River Cruise Description

Switzerland, France, and Germany provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur's Christmas Markets cruise. Visit the delightful Christmas Markets of Basel, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France. Then continue on to Germany - where many of our signature holiday traditions began - with stops in lovely Medieval villages such as Heidelberg, Mainz, Rüdesheim, and Koblenz, and the majestic city of Cologne with its UNESCO Gothic cathedral. As you sail along the legendary Rhine, especially the 40 miles along the upper middle Rhine Valley (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), you'll be captivated by ancient fortresses, Medieval castles, and halftimbered villages - all set in a winter wonderland. This cruise offers so much! The personality of each country shines even more brightly at this time of year because of each area's special holiday traditions. Share the joy and magic of the season and enter into a festive mood as you enjoy the cozy and intimate holiday atmosphere onboard your exquisitely decorated boutique hotel-style cruise ship.

Included Features

  • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the regal River Queen
  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • Complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner; bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffees and teas
  • 6 shore excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
  • Captain’s Welcome & Farewell Dinners
  • Signature lecture: “European Christmas Traditions”
  • All transfers on arrival and departure days (Please see transfer guidelines in the Terms and Conditions)
  • Captivating onboard local entertainment
  • An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff

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Day
1
Cologne (Embark)
Arrive at Cologne airport where you’ll be transferred to the ship. (D)
Day
2
Cologne
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour, cathedral visit, and Christmas Markets.
Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the city’s beloved landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cologne boasts no fewer than five Christmas Markets, so we have planned an entire day in this city for you to discover these markets at your own pace following the tour. Be sure to visit the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, as well as Alter Markt in front of the City Hall, Neumarkt in Cologne’s shopping area, and the Medieval Christmas Market in front of the Chocolate Museum. Note: No tours are given inside Cologne Cathedral on Sundays or Catholic holidays. (BB/L/Captain’s Welcome Gala)
Day
3
Koblenz, crusing the romantic Rhine, Rüdesheim
Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market.
In the morning, you’ll begin your walking tour of Koblenz through romantic alleyways lined with half-timbered houses decorated for the season. You’ll pass by St. Castor’s Church, the Church of Our Lady, Schängel Fountain, and historic City Hall. Afterward, delight in the Koblenz Christmas Market with its dozens of wooden stands offering arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes. In the afternoon, you’ll cruise to Rüdesheim via the breathtaking 40 miles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its 40 castles strung like pearls on the hillside, and the famous Lorelei Rock, the valley is the perfect example of the romantic Rhine (BB/L/D)
Day
4
Rüdesheim, Mainz
Featured Excursion: Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum.
In the morning visit Rüdesheim that is located in the heart of the Rhine Valley. Rüdesheim has been a magnet for romantics ever since the early 19th century. Its rolling hills, historical monuments, and winding alleyways are a real treat. While in Rüdesheim, you’ll visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum and its unique collection of self-playing musical instruments. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the town of Mainz, once home to Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. Stroll through Old Town and the city square, where you’ll see Kaiserdom, St. Stephan’s Church, and Kurfürstliche Schloss. Explore the St. Nicholas Christmas Market with 1,000-year old St. Martin’s Cathedral as a backdrop. (BB/L/D)
Day
5
Speyer (Heidelberg)
Featured Excursion: Full-day Heidelberg and Christmas Market.
Situated on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful cities and one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Europe. It is also home to one of Germany’s oldest universities. Your tour of Heidelberg takes you past the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a once-fortified castle, and through Old Town, which is all dressed up for the holidays. You’ll have ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market, which spans over five squares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyramid rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the carousel. (BB/D)
Day
6
Strasbourg
Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Market.
Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as “The Crossroads of Europe” and home of the magnificent, single-spire Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral as well as many beautiful half-timbered houses. See Strasbourg as it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. Enjoy Petite France, which is especially picturesque at this time of year. And visit the oldest Christmas Market in France in a breathtaking setting right in front of Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral. (BB/L/D)
Day
7
Basel 
Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Market.
Your city walk introduces you to Basel, Switzerland’s second-largest city. Delight in Basel’s Christmas Market, located in the heart of historic Old Town, and visit the illuminated Christmas Street, which is beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. (BB/L/Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
Day
8
Basel (Disembark), Transfer to the Airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to Basel Airport for your flight home. (CB or BB)
Uniworld Brochure This itinerary is based on 2012 departures. Click on the icon if you would like to view an electronic version of the brochure online. There may be some amendments to this itinerary on 2013 departures. To view the preview 2013 brochure click here.

River Cruise Prices

Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.

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General Information

The information below relates to this itinerary only.

Cruise Operator: Uniworld

Uniworld presents an unrivalled river cruise program with unique itineraries and superb five-star inclusions. Travel onboard intimate, luxurious ships with a maximum of 134 guests - fewer guests than any other river cruise company in Europe. With one highly trained staff member for every three guests and expert onboard hotel management, Uniworld are able to deliver a guest satisfaction rate of 98%.




Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the deck plans, cabin types and more ship information?

We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information on Uniworld including FAQ's on what you need to know before, during and after your travel; as well fleet information, deck plans, and a comprehensive search facility to enable you to easily find more of their cruises. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).

Which direction of the cruise should I book? Is one better than the other?

It does not matter which direction you choose, as each direction contains the same included features. Timings of activities may, of course, vary a little due to cruising times up- or downstream, but you will not see or do more in one direction than in the other.

What is the dress code onboard?

During the day, comfortable, casual attire is appropriate. The weather in Europe can be very changeable, so take a sweater or windproof jacket and an umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended for excursions. Evenings are a little dressier. Gentlemen may wish to wear a jacket to the Captain's dinner. You'll find average temperatures listed on each of the cruises on our website.

How large are the ships?

Our ships accommodate between 100 and 138 guests. They are generally 360 feet long (110 meters), and 37.5 feet wide (11.4 meters). The draft is approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters). There are typically 34 crew members aboard. We have a dedicated section on our website providing more detailed information each ship. Read more> (Note: This link will take you away from this tour itinerary page).

Do your ships have any exclusive features?

Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience. The River Empress, River Countess and River Duchess offer guests the convenience of checking and sending e-mails. On the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess, each guest is provided with a terry cloth robe in their cabin. Our ships have one of the largest fitness centres aboard any river cruise ship. There is also a sauna and a steam room on the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess.

Are meals included onboard?

Sumptuous buffets at breakfast and lunch offer an extensive array of hot and cold selections. Breakfast features crispy Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and warm maple syrup, a dozen or more homemade breads and jams, an omelette station, and hand-cut seasonal fresh fruit.

Lunch offers a delectable feast with salads, soups, carved-to-order roasts, and more. Evenings provide exquisite ambience with relaxed open seating. Each dish is flawlessly prepared using the finest ingredients—local meats and seafood along with tasty side dishes. Always included with dinner onboard are European fine wines and a selection of beer and soft drinks served by an attentive, caring staff. Of course, every meal concludes with a wide range of freshly prepared, decadent desserts that look every bit as delicious as they taste.

Uniworld also provides a variety of dining experiences including: al fresco “under the stars” and light-lunch dining—both on the sun deck; Captain's Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinner; early-riser breakfast; and afternoon tea. Plus, Uniworld gives you the choice of dining on lighter cuisine with our Traveling Lite menu.

What are your handicapped facilities like?

The ships are not handicapped or wheelchair accessible. There are elevators on the River Princess, River Queen, River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. On the River Queen, the elevator does not reach all decks. Additionally, most shore excursions involve some walking. Some excursions are walking cruises only, and several occur on cobblestone streets.

Are tips/gratuities included in our tour price?

Tips & gratuities including the customary end-of-trip gratuity/tip for the cruise/tour manager, crew onboard and local guides for the included shore excursions are included in the price of your trip (excluding Optional Excursions). Europe & Russia cruises only.

How do I pay for purchases and services onboard?

Magnetic key cards have been introduced on the River Countess, River Duchess, and River Empress. The magnetic card functions as your cabin key, your onboard charge card, and your ID card for boarding. Passengers swipe the cards as they disembark and embark, enabling our staff to keep track of everyone onboard. Our ships were the first - and are still the only - river cruise ships to offer this convenience.

On other ships all purchases and paid services on board are billed with a guest check and added to your shipboard account. At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid with cash or credit card. The ships do not accept payments made by Diners Club cards. The onboard currency is the Euro. View individual ships here.

Do we always dock in the heart of the city?

It depends; in many places you will dock within walking distance to the city center, but there are places where the river only touches the outskirts of a town (i.e. Bamberg or Nuremberg), and thus a motorcoach transfer is necessary.


Arrival & Departure Information

Transfers

Transfers to/from airports will be provided only for flights arriving/departing on the start/finish day of the cruise (and for extensions/extra nights). There may be a waiting period of up to 2 hours or more unless private car transfers have been purchased. The following time limits apply:

  Arrival Departure
Europe 7am - 3pm 7am - 5pm
Extensions 24 hours 24 hours 
Extra Nights 24 hours 24 hours

Passenger flight details must be given to Global Journeys 45 days prior to departure. If your flight arrangements arrive/depart outside of the above you may purchase a private car transfer from Uniworld or make your own transfer arrangements. Uniworld will not be responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, for missed cruise/trip days or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing.

Boarding Time

On turnaround day, the entire ship must be cleaned in preparation for your arrival. The facilities of the ship, including your cabin, will not be available before 4pm. We appreciate your understanding on this matter. Should you arrive early, you may leave your bags in the Reception area and take a walk into the city, or relax in the lounge.


Terms & Conditions:

Yep, all the boring small print! We still recommend you read it all though, as no one likes surprises. Click here to read them now - they will open in a new window, or print them off to read over later with a cup of coffee!

 

Georgie Walpole

Your Tour Consultant Will Be:

Georgie Walpole
Tour Consultant
Email: georgie@globaljourneys.com
Expertise: International Coach Touring & River Cruising
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